DEMOPOLIS - Tonight will mark one the most exciting events of Christmas on the River, the Alabama State Championship BBQ Cook-off.

“It's the biggest party outside of a football game you will ever go to,” Jack Cooley, Chairman of Christmas on the River said about the cook-off.
This is the 19th year that the cook-off has been a sanctioned part of Christmas on the River.

The cook-off will be held at the George Franks Ball field at the Demopolis City Landing.

There are 45 teams participating in this year's cook-off, Cooley said.

“Fourteen of them are backyard teams and will only cook ribs,” Cooley said. “Thirty-one professional cooking teams will cook ribs, brisquit, chicken and pork for the big money.”

Cooley said the competition draws teams from all over the U.S.

“We have teams that come every year from all over,” he said. “They come back year after year to take part in this competition.”

Although returning champions compete year after year, Cooley said thus far, no one has won the competition back-to-back.